August 6 & 8: New Zoo Design Open House @ Oregon Zoo | FREE, 20-Year Master Plan On Display
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Oregon Zoo 20-Year Master Plan Open House
Saturday, August 6, 9 a.m. – Noon
Monday, August 8, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
FREE | All Ages
Oregon Zoo, Cascade Grill
4001 SW Canyon Road
In the not-too-distant future, Oregon Zoo polar bears will patrol a much larger territory, taking in views of the zoo and exploring a varied shoreline of pools and beaches. Zoo elephants will roam through a greatly expanded habitat of meadows, forest and pools. Chimpanzees and mandrills will swing above visitor pathways along overhead ¬Å“treeways.¬Â And never-before-seen California condors will make their Oregon Zoo debut.
Designs for these new exhibits, plus a new education facility, a 20-year master plan and much more, will be on display for zoo visitors and metro-area residents at two public open houses, Saturday, Aug. 6, from 9 a.m. to noon, and Monday, Aug. 8, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., in the zoo's Cascade Grill lower floor banquet facilities. Zoo admission is not required for those attending the open houses.
Polar bear, elephant, primate and condor keepers will be on hand to chat with visitors, share the process of design development and explain how each of the new habitats improves the lives of the zoo's animals.
The new master plan, exhibits and other facilities are funded by a $125 million bond supported by metro-area voters in 2008. Following passage of the measure, the zoo hired a team of designers and sustainability experts, who have worked with staff since last November on the master plan and exhibit designs, as well as identifying ways to save water and energy, reduce waste and improve sustainability across all zoo activities and departments.
Last November, the zoo launched construction on the new Veterinary Medical Center, the highest priority bond project, which is due to open in January. In addition the zoo's Humboldt penguins have been living in one half of the polar bear exhibit since November while a new water filtration system is installed in their exhibit. That project should be finished later this summer. Keepers will no longer drain and refill the penguin pool. Instead, the new system will recirculate and clean pool water, saving millions of gallons each year.
The zoo hopes to begin construction on a perimeter road and new zoo train route in spring of 2012 in preparation for construction of the new expanded elephant habitat, beginning in autumn 2012.
Each of the open houses will include a brief video and welcoming remarks from zoo and Metro officials. Zoo staff will be on hand to answer questions. There will be refreshments and activities for children. Designs will remain on display from noon to 4 p.m., Aug. 6-9, for zoo visitors to drop in and view the future zoo.
